The Team That Never Was

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This article about our community college's phantom team was written by Scottville's own Barney Reinberg, transcribed here in its entirety with his permission just a little late for basketball season

College sports have recently gone through major changes. The transfer portal has exploded with athletes wanting to change schools in hopes of more playing time or to become the “missing piece” to compete for a national championship. Not to mention the huge financial windfalls for athletes at major colleges with “name, image, likeness” deals (NIL’s). Netflix had their “Last Chance” series following a season of a highly competitive junior college football/basketball program. A reality tv sports soap opera of student athletes with behavioral issues and overbearing coaches constantly reminding them they hold the key to their playing at the next level. Players will always look to play for the team that offers them the best chance of success or winning. It has been an awfully long time since playing at the college level was simply played for the love of the game. But it was and it happened right here.

                                             WSCC vs. Kirtland CC at Mason County Central HS Gym in 1977

You will not find any record books and it is difficult even next to impossible to find any press clipping of the team. Local sports historians cannot recall this team. It is as if they did not exist. But they did. The evidence of this team lies within the memories of a few (now) senior citizens. They played basketball for West Shore Community College. It was the 1977 basketball season and a group of West Shore students got together and formed a team. Since they were all students at the college, the college went ahead and allowed them to represent themselves as WSCC. Everything was out of pocket and paid for by the players. It goes without saying that coaches did not receive a salary. One of the team members, MCC graduate Larry Graham remembers Erwin’s Custom Sports as the proud supplier of their sporty but economical uniforms.

The team lasted two seasons. Bill Daggett of Pentwater was the coach for the first season and MCE’s Jim Jackoviak led the team in its second year. Area players included LHS Al Demeester, MCC’s Larry Graham and Bob “Fuji” Durham. In the second and final year, area stand out Bob Kapcia played on the team.

The schedule, although limited, consisted of other community colleges throughout the State. Teams from Kirkland Community College, Macomb Community College and the freshman team from Ferris State University were West Shores competition. A Ferris freshmen team that had eventual All-American Rick Belergeron playing against the West Shore team. Graham remembers losing by nine points to the young Bulldog squad.

In the mid 70’s area basketball the blessed to have three talented players on the hardwood. Ludington’s Steve Hull and MCC’s Chris Raven were two of the three. Both would eventually become teammates at Grand Valley State and this year will once again reunite in the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame as Hull will be a 2023 inductee. MCE’s Bob Kapcia (the third of our players) graduated in 1976, (a year later than Hull and Raven) would find his way to Lake Superior State. Kapcia’s stay at “Lake State” would be brief as he came home after a year and played on the ‘78 team at West Shore Community College. The following season Bob Kapcia continued his career at Ferris State University.

The West Shore team offered players one last chance to compete in a sport they loved. It also offered Jim Jackoviak a chance to coach the sport loved. At the end of the 1975 season at MCE, Jackoviak knew he had to face the facts about his next year’s team. His Eastern team was not going to be deep. He was going to have to bring Freshmen “up” to his varsity team. He knew whether he played the seniors or the freshmen, the season was not going to be successful. The West Michigan D league was competitive with powerhouse teams at Baldwin, Walkerville and Pentwater. So, the dilemma was “do I lose with a group of seniors or lose with a group of freshmen and give them playing time and experience?” Jackoviak chose the latter and that season proved to be his last at MCE. When West Shore entered its second year and needed a coach, Jackoviak jumped at the chance. It did not hurt that his former stand-out player (Kapcia) would be on the team.

Ask a local sports authority about the West Shore basketball team and you will get a blank stare. Try if you will gather information at the college and you will find a couple of pictures. Nothing “official” exists on this team. Ask a former player about the team. A huge smile will appear and talk of how much fun they had playing. That is the true meaning of sports.

A quote from the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame reads, “Our vision to Recognize outstanding athletes & contributors. Share memories, preserve legacies, instill life lessons, and add value to our community in unique ways.” The quote truly defines the team.

I would like to thank Larry Graham, Bob Kapcia and coach Jim Jackoviak for their help. Without them their story could not be told. It is one worth telling.